Forced Detour

After many scans and appointments with specialists, a surgery was scheduled to remove a major chunk of Derek's colon and localized lymph system.  The hope was that the cancer had remained only in that area and that it would all be able to be surgically removed.  Derek would then proceed with six months of chemotherapy.  Of course, we were concerned about the Stage 3 Colon Cancer diagnosis, but Derek was also heavily involved in many City Manager recruitment processes and felt a greater need to provide for his family.  He was scheduled to fly out to 3 different cities in the two weeks following the Cancer phone call.  We discussed things in detail with the doctors and were told that, while definitely not ideal, it would be possible to get a job in those two weeks, have the surgery, recover for 6 weeks, move to a new  place, and go through chemotherapy while starting a new job.  Not a fun or easy plan, but possible.  We prayed that all things would happen according to the Lord's will and timing and then made every effort to do our part.


The surgery was scheduled for Tuesday, January 31st.  Before that day, Derek had received a promising job offer and had another potential opportunity in the final stages of the hiring process.  Through the fasting and prayers of many, and by the grace of the atonement, Derek had felt well enough to keep going through a rigorous schedule of meetings, interviews, etc.  He lost 15 pounds because he couldn't eat very well, but he was feeling better than he had for several months... for which we were all grateful.  Our entire family felt the comforting, peaceful effects of the many heartfelt prayers offered on our behalf, and felt confident that Derek would be okay.


Tuesday, Derek went in for the surgery.  He told the surgeon that many people were praying for him and to take his time so that he didn't leave any sponges inside his colon:)  When the surgery was over, Dr. Leftwich said that the surgery had been very successful.  Apparently Derek had an extra long colon and they were able to remove the affected area and reconnect everything beautifully.  The surgeon was confident that everything would work well again.  Unfortunately he had also seen at least 3 spots of cancer on Derek's liver that would not be able to be surgically removed, along with cancer lining the walls of his abdominal cavity, cancer cells in other lymph systems, and, he suspected it was also on Derek's lungs.  This was not the news we wanted to hear!  Stage 4 Colon Cancer.


We will meet with an oncologist on February 10th to make a new plan.  We don't know what this does to the potential employment opportunities that Derek was excited about or what it means for relocating our family.  We're not sure what the next few years will look like, but we haven't given up yet.  Derek received a priesthood blessing from his dad that promised a full recovery from this cancer and we're working on the faith that that will still happen.  We have been reading the many examples from the scriptures of miraculous healings and protection provided by the Lord to faithful people.  Derek has also gained strength from the story in Matthew 14 of Peter walking on the water during a mighty storm.  He left what seemed like his only shelter, to walk toward the Savior, seeking safety in Him.  When he started to falter because of the boisterous wind, he reached toward the Savior, who took his hand and saved Peter from being overcome by the dangers around him.  Derek has left the boat and is reaching for the Savior to bring us through this storm.  We are so grateful for all of our friends and family who are exercising a similar faith that these miracles still happen.